moderate
2–8 hours depending on tour
Participants should have a basic level of fitness comfortable with outdoor walking and standing in cold conditions for several hours.
Sluice Box in Fairbanks offers dog sledding and winter wilderness adventures that bring guests close to Alaska’s iconic landscapes and Northern Lights. Discover hands-on mushing, forest hikes, and immersive aurora tours designed for all levels.
Fairbanks, Alaska, is a gateway to some of the most authentic winter wilderness experiences in the North American Arctic. Sluice Box offers an impressive range of dog sledding and snow-based adventures that provide both thrill and serene connection to this stark, snowy landscape. Located amid Alaska’s boreal forests and frozen tundra, their programs embrace the true spirit of winter travel, taking visitors well beyond the beaten path in and around Fairbanks.
At the heart of Sluice Box’s offerings is the Husky Hike & Forest Adventure, where guests partner with Alaskan huskies to mush through trails lined with spruce and birch. For those looking to combine culture and thrill, the Sledding & Homesteading Adventure pairs traditional dog sledding with hands-on homesteading experiences, offering a practical glimpse into sustainable living in subzero conditions. The Aspen-Grove Ridge Top Tour grants panoramic views of forest ridges dusted in snow, a crisp backdrop for both quiet reflection and adrenaline-pumping mushing.
Sluice Box’s Northern Lights combo trips illuminate the night with guided dog sled rides that culminate in aurora watching, one of the few places on earth where this spectacle paints the sky vivid greens and purples. Photography enthusiasts can book the Aurora Viewing & Photography Full Night tour to capture this phenomenon with expert guidance.
Large groups are welcomed with custom mushing options, making Sluice Box a standout for family outings, corporate retreats, or adventure clubs eager to bond over genuine Alaskan wilderness. The company’s respect for the fragile Arctic ecosystem is evident in their responsible trail usage and focus on small group experiences. Here, every trip unfolds in deep wilderness that few get to witness firsthand, blending adrenaline with the quiet resilience of Alaska’s winter landscape.
Temperatures can plummet quickly; layering ensures you stay warm and dry during sledding and forest walks.
Always follow guide instructions when interacting with the huskies to ensure their safety and comfort.
Cold temperatures drain battery life quickly, especially important for cameras during aurora tours.
Snowshoes or crampons improve stability on icy or uneven snow-covered terrain around forest trails.
Fairbanks developed as a key hub during the Alaskan gold rush, linking traditional Athabascan culture with frontier life.
Sluice Box operates with minimal environmental impact, emphasizing trail stewardship and sustainable sled dog practices.
Keeps you warm during extended outdoor activities in subzero temperatures.
winter specific
Protects feet from wet snow and ice while providing traction.
winter specific
Useful for walking comfortably over deep snow during forest adventures.
winter specific
Essential for early darkness and night activities like aurora photography.
winter specific